Device for setting to zero for taximeters



Feb. 25, 1930, R. WP 7 8 189 DEVICE FOR SETTING TO ZERO FOR TAXIMETERS Filec't June 25, 1924 Patented Feb. 25, 1930 TJNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD POPE, OF PARIS, FRANCE DEVICE FOR SETTING: T ZERO FOR TAXIMETER-S Application filed June 25, 1924, Serial No. 722,325,

The present invention concerns tarimeters,

and consists iia device, whose characteristics parts are intended to ensure the return or all the organs to their original positio n, when the is set to zero, before the flag ca again be lowered for another journey.

Existing taximeters are set to ze an by a complete revolution in a counterclockwise direction, that is to say that the flag snait does not come back to its point of departure to return to zero.

It can move between the Various tarirls, but

-when it has passed tariff 1 for exampl e, it cannot reverse its motion, and in the same way,

when it has passed tariii payment,

not reverse its motion.

it can- Between tariff 1 and tarilt payment, it can move backwards or forwards as required.

This being admitted, in taximeters working in this way, it frequently happ the springs or organs for setting have not had the time to act compl ens that to Zero, etely on this can be the source of errors or ii and.

he annexed diagrams, Figures 1, 2 and 3, clearly show the improvements which are the objects of this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the detect noted above is avoided by lining a ratchet cut in the direction of the arrow, to

the flag shaft 1. When the flag is lowered, it is obliged to remain in the acquired position,

because it is held there by the r pawl 3.

staining This ratchet has no teeth between the position tariff 1 and payment, but it is again toothed between the position payment and free apart from this there is nothing particular about this retaining device.

On the same flag shaft a pinion 4: which engages with a toothed secto the latter after turning through an is fixed, r 5, and angle of for example, will butt up against pinion l, which as Figures i the same number of teeth as sector and 2 show, has only Pinion and in France June 25, 1923.

l is lit-ted with a pin 6, and sector 5 is fitted with a pin 7.

Sector 5 is brought back to its starting point by a spiral spring 8, Figure 1, the reti n movement of the sector 5 being limited by a projection 22 thereon engaging a stationary stop lug 23. Finally an arm 9 oscillating about the point 10, is raised or lowered as required by the pin 7 fixed on sector 5. This lever 9 is pulled downwards by the helical spring 11 until it rests on the pin 12.

The action is the following: The flag is the Zero position, that is to say vertical. In this position, the sector 5 can move backwards, due to the notch 13, which is cut in the toothed pinion 4.

In this position, the pin 7 has raised the lever 9, Figure 1. t will be observed that when the flag is lowered the toothed portion 01" pinion l will engage with sector 5 up to the moment when there are no more teeth on pinion l. As will be understood, the portion of the pinion 4e lying intermediate the notch 13 and the toothed portion opposite said notch is 01 such radius as to prevent the sector 5 from returning to initial position under the influenceof the spring 8 when the wheel 4:11215 advanced to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Lever 9 is lowered and rests on pin 12, Figure 2. The position payment is thus reached. At this moment, it by a violent movement, the is passed "from payment to tariff, pin 6 will butt up against lever 9. Pinion at will only be freed when sector 5 due to notch 13, is allowed to come back and raise lever 9, which then trees pin 6.

The time that the sector takes to reverse its motion and tree pin 6 is longer than that necessary for the drums and other organs to return to zero (the movement of return the zero position begins at about 23 from the vertical). The result is that the appliance will always be at the Zero point before the is again lowered, whatever may be the speed or violence of rotation of the latter.

Referring to Figure 3 the diagram has reference to a variation of the stopping time required for the flag at each return to Zero, based on the sam principle, and which is obtained by using a was ier 1%, simply fixed on the flag and provided with a notch 15, on which is fixed a finger 16.

This washer 14, by means of the finger 16, actuates a pin 17 which is fixed on a sector 18, which is held onto a fixed pin 20 by the spring 19.

It is evident that, by turning the washer 14. in the direction of the arrow, the finger 16 as soon as it meets the pin 17, will bring with it the sector 18, up to the moment when the finger 16 is freed from the pin 17. At this moment, thanks to the notch 15, sector 18 can return to its original position. This stopping time of the washer is necessary to enable the sector 18 to reverse its motion and is sufiicient for the taximeter to be set to zero.

On the other hand, if the movement of the flag is violent, the extremity 21 of the washer 14 will butt up against sector 18, the notch 15 not allowing sector 18 to continue its stroke once finger 16 is free.

Claims:

1. In a taximeter, a flag shaft therefor, a spring returned rotatable member, means for transmitting movement of the flag shaft to said rotatable member throughout a portion of revolution of said flag shaft, a cutaway portion in said means cooperatin with said rotatable member, and means for ocking the flag shaft against rotation under certain conditions which is controlled by said rotatable member and released when said rotatable member is returned by its spring through said cut away portion.

2. A taximeter as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the provision of means acting during a portion of revolution of the flag shaft for preventing reverse rotation thereof except between payment and tariff positions.

3. A taximeter as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means for locking the flag shaft against rotation includes a ivoted lever, means on the rotatable member or displacing the lever to inoperative position, and an abutment carried by the flag shaft.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

RICHARD POPP. 

